June 28, 2011

Went for this, bought that

To pass time on my way to work, I listen to the local radio morning show. Some topics pique my interest and are totally relatable and others make me feel like I live in a world of my own. I encountered one of each this morning. They asked for stories of when you went to the store for __________ but came home with _________. Frank and I are guilty of this on a couple occasions. We once went shopping for a desk chair and bought a bed. I think we also bought a fish tank while looking for a desk chair. No clue how that occurred, but I'm pretty sure we need to exercise extreme caution when shopping for desk chairs. One of the funnier tales was one guy went to REI for a backpack and left with a canoe.

Then, the conversation turned toward being overwhelmed at stores and shopping stress. Several people chimed in that stores like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Costco and Target are overwhelming. The vast selection is too much to bear. Others admitted to having troubles limiting purchases and they fill a cart in no time. I dislike shopping, I get the dread of needing to go to the store. My frustration often lies in walking out empty handed when I was in specific need of something... this could be clothing, shoes or a grocery item. Walmart stresses me out, long lines, crowded aisles, and screaming children. But none of these were means of stress for those on the show or that called in. More or less they were stressed by lack of discipline, how bizarre? I thought.

I suppose for some it's a good thing Vegas doesn't have an Ikea. Could you imagine the anxiety that place could cause?

Excessive shopping or being overwhelmed by selection is not something that's ever phased me. It reminded me of when I was a teen and my dad always teased me about my trips to the mall. I'd go with girlfriends and after hours of shopping, all I'd buy were Swedish fish from the bulk candy store. I had money to burn, but I was always more of a saver than a spender. Now that I'm grown, I enjoy experiences more than material things so shopping is a matter of necessity much of the time.

Anyway, I'm always fascinated by behavioral differences. Are you one to be overwhelmed by stores or do you have a "went for this and came home with that" story to tell?